1.Effects of oral microbiota and immune cells on oral leukoplakia: a Mendelian randomization and mediation analysis
WANG Yongkang ; GUAN Cuiqiang ; GUO Hongbo
Journal of Prevention and Treatment for Stomatological Diseases 2026;34(2):129-138
Objective:
To assess the causal association between specific oral microbiota and the risk of oral leukoplakia (OLK) using a Mendelian randomization (MR) approach, and to elucidate the potential mediating role of immune cells.
Methods:
Summary statistics from genome-wide association studies (GWAS) of the oral microbiome, GWAS data for immune cell phenotypes, and GWAS summary statistics for OLK from FinnGen were used. The inverse variance weighted (IVW) method was adopted as the primary approach, and it was supplemented by MR Egger regression, simple mode, weighted median, and weighted mode methods for additional analyses, to investigate the causal relationship between 3 117 types of tongue coating and salivary microbiota, as well as 731 immune cell traits, and OLK. Furthermore, a two-step MR approach was applied to explore the potential mediating role of immune cells in the association between oral microbiota and OLK.
Results:
IVW analysis revealed causal associations between 15 oral microbial genera and OLK. Among these, Streptococcus, Neisseria, and Catonella were associated with a reduced risk of OLK, with Fusobacterium showing the most significant protective effect (OR = 0.41, P = 0.023). In contrast, genera, including Microbacterium, Campylobacter, and Haemophilus_A, were linked to an increased risk of OLK, with Lancefieldella exhibiting the strongest risk effect (OR = 2.66, P = 0.006). Eleven immune cell phenotypes with potential causal associations with OLK were identified, including four protective and seven risk-increasing factors. Mediation analysis further identified four key mediating pathways: pathogenic genera, particularly Campylobacter_A and Lancefieldella, may promote the development and progression of OLK by upregulating highly activated pro-inflammatory immune subsets such as activated monocytes, B cells, and myeloid cells. Conversely, the potentially protective genus Catonella appeared to exert inhibitory effects on OLK by significantly downregulating dendritic cell subsets.
Conclusion
This study is the first to reveal, at the genetic level, causal pathways through which specific oral microbial genera influence the risk of OLK by mediating immune cell responses. These findings provide novel insights into the immunopathological mechanisms underlying OLK and offer potential targets for intervention strategies aimed at modulating specific microbial genera or immune cell subsets.
2.Herbal Textual Research on Cynanchi Atrati Radix et Rhizoma in Famous Classical Formulas
Xiaoqi JING ; Minna GUO ; Haihua WANG ; Juan LI ; Fusheng ZHANG ; Zhilai ZHAN
Chinese Journal of Experimental Traditional Medical Formulae 2026;32(4):208-216
This article systematically reviews and verifies the name, origin, production area, quality evaluation, harvesting, processing and other aspects of Cynanchi Atrati Radix et Rhizoma(CARR) by consulting relevant ancient and modern literature, in order to provide a basis for the development and utilization of famous classical formulas containing this herb. Through textual research, Baiwei has been the official name for CARR, though it also bears alternative names such as Chuncao, Popo Zhenxianbao, Longdan Baiwei. The mainstream base is the roots and rhizomes of Cynanchum atratum. Historical records indicate primary producing areas include Shandong, Anhui, Jiangsu, Shaanxi and Shanxi. Since the late Ming dynasty, varieties from Juxian, Yishui and Rizhao in Shandong have been highly regarded as authentic, commonly known as eastern Baiwei. Since modern times, its quality has been summarized as fine, slender, and straight fibrous roots, pale yellow exterior, whiter interior, and dryness with easy breakability are considered superior. The harvesting time before the Song dynasty was on the third day of the third lunar month, but after the Song dynasty, harvesting was possible in both spring and autumn. The initial processing methods of CARR in ancient times included drying in the shade, removing Lu(the little rhizomes which are on tap of roots), and removing mustaches, modern methods involve washing and sun-drying. During the Northern and Southern dynasties, processing methods included steaming. In the Song dynasty, drying and light stir-frying were predominant, while wine washing emerged in the Ming dynasty. Modern practices primarily involve using raw, stir-frying or honey processing. Regarding the medicinal properties of CARR, both ancient and modern texts agree it has a bitter and salty taste and is non-toxic. Records prior to the Qing dynasty predominantly describe its nature as extremely cold, while mainstream herbal texts after the Qing dynasty generally characterize it as cold. Before the Ming dynasty, there were no records of its meridian tropism. It was not until the Qing dynasty that it was recorded in the lung meridian. Modern records mainly refer to the stomach, liver, and kidney meridians. Throughout history, its main functions have been to clear heat, diuresis, nourish Yin, and replenish essence, primarily treating Yin deficiency and fever syndrome. Based on the research results, it is suggested that when developing famous classical formulas containing CARR, the dried roots and rhizomes of C. atratum can be selected as its medicinal source. If there are no specific processing requirements, raw products can be selected as medicine. If the processing requirements are specified, corresponding processed products can be selected as medicine according to the original formula requirements.
3.Efficacy and safety of intensity-modulated radiotherapy versus stereotactic body radiotherapy in treatment of locally advanced pancreatic cancer: A meta-analysis
Junjie LEI ; Yanjiao WEI ; Qilin REN ; Hongjian REN ; Yarong GUO
Journal of Clinical Hepatology 2026;42(5):1125-1132
ObjectiveTo systematically analyze the differences in therapeutic efficacy between intensity-modulated radiotherapy (IMRT) and stereotactic body radiotherapy (SBRT) for locally advanced pancreatic cancer (LAPC), and to provide a basis for treatment decision-making. MethodsPubMed, Embase, the Cochrane Library, CNKI, Wanfang Data, and VIP databases were searched for prospective or retrospective cohort studies on IMRT versus SBRT for the treatment of LAPC published up to July 31, 2025. The Newcastle-Ottawa Scale was used to assess the quality of studies, and Review Manager 5.4 was used to perform the Meta-analysis. ResultsA total of 23 studies involving 2 505 patients were included. In terms of local control rate, an analysis of 13 studies with 847 patients showed that the SBRT group had a significantly higher 1-year local control rate than the IMRT group (84.5% vs 66.7%, relative risk [RR]=1.27, 95% confidence interval [CI]: 1.03 — 1.56, I2=28%, P=0.026). In terms of acute toxicity, an analysis of 15 studies showed that the SBRT group had a significantly lower incidence rate of grade≥3 acute toxicity than the IMRT group (3.5% vs 11.0%, RR=0.32, 95%CI: 0.19 — 0.53, I2=18%, P<0.001). There was no significant difference in overall survival between the SBRT group and the IMRT group (16.8 months vs 16.3 months). The subgroup analysis of local control rate showed that in the 9 high-quality studies, the SBRT group had a significantly higher local control rate than the IMRT group (RR=1.25, P<0.001), and a similar result was observed in the 4 moderate-quality studies (RR=1.31, P=0.021); the stratified analysis based on technique platforms showed that the MR-guided technique group showed the largest effect size (RR=1.40, I2=10%). The sensitivity analysis showed that the RR value ranged from 1.21 to 1.28, with stable results. The Egger regression analysis showed no significant publication bias (P>0.05). ConclusionSBRT is superior to IMRT in terms of local control rate and acute toxicity and is a preferred treatment option for LAPC, with the MR-guided techniques showing the best performance.
4.Chinese expert consensus on salvage esophagectomy for esophageal cancer after definitive chemoradiotherapy
Zhaoxian LIN ; Yang HU ; Lei XIAN ; Yun LI ; Jinbo ZHAO ; Xiaobin HOU ; Shuangping ZHANG ; Sunkui KE ; Changying GUO ; Songping XIE ; Haitao WEI ; Yong LI
Chinese Journal of Clinical Thoracic and Cardiovascular Surgery 2026;33(07):977-987
Definitive chemoradiotherapy (dCRT) has become a cornerstone in the treatment of locally advanced esophageal cancer; however, local control remains suboptimal, and persistent lesions or locoregional recurrences after treatment are not uncommon. For patients without distant metastases but with local failure, whether surgical intervention can still offer curative potential remains a major clinical dilemma. Salvage esophagectomy (SE) offers potential long-term survival for selected patients, but this procedure is performed in the context of severe fibrosis, impaired local blood supply, and obscured anatomical planes following chemoradiotherapy, resulting in significantly higher perioperative risk compared to primary esophagectomy. Consequently, controversies exist regarding patient selection, preoperative restaging, choice of surgical approach, extent of lymphadenectomy, gastrointestinal reconstruction, and perioperative management. In recent years, with the refinement of restaging modalities such as PET/CT, the accumulation of experience in high-volume centers, and emerging evidence from clinical studies, the clinical role of SE has gradually shifted from a "high-risk salvage measure" to a "selective curative strategy aimed at achieving long-term survival in carefully selected patients". Nevertheless, standardized guidelines for patient selection, technical approaches, and perioperative management are still lacking. Based on current evidence and clinical experience, experts organized by the Integrated Esophageal Cancer Committee of Chinese Anti-Cancer Association systematically reviewed key issues regarding SE, including its definition, indications, preoperative evaluation, choice of surgical approach, lymphadenectomy, gastrointestinal reconstruction, and perioperative management, and formulated a Chinese expert consensus. This consensus aims to provide guidance for standardized assessment, appropriate referral, individualized surgical decision-making, and optimized perioperative management of patients with locoregional failure after dCRT. Ultimately, this will increase the likelihood of R0 resection, reduce the risk of severe complications, and promote the safer, more judicious, and standardized implementation of SE in high-risk scenarios.
5.Fecal microbiota transplantation for the treatment of cirrhotic ascites with chronic diarrhea: A case report
Dan ZHAO ; Jiaru ZHAO ; Honghong CAO ; Qiaoli GUO ; Wei WU ; Xinyi ZHANG ; Cuiping XU ; Jie ZHANG
Journal of Clinical Hepatology 2026;42(6):1383-1387
Fecal microbiota transplantation (FMT) has been widely used in the treatment of gastrointestinal disorders, particularly Clostridium difficile infection, while there are few reports of its application in the diagnosis and treatment of cirrhotic ascites. This article reports a case of a patient with cirrhotic ascites and chronic diarrhea who received FMT with oral capsules, demonstrating significant short-term efficacy without any adverse reactions, in order to provide a reference for the application of FMT in the treatment of liver diseases.
6.Study on the improvement of quality standard for Psidii Guajavae Folium
Dingding GUO ; Han WANG ; Ran JING ; Cong LIU ; Yuexin WANG ; Shaowei LYU
China Pharmacy 2026;37(15):2009-2015
OBJECTIVE To upgrade and perfect the quality standard of Psidii Guajavae Folium. METHODS A total of 24 batches of Psidii Guajavae Folium samples were adopted in this study. The macroscopic traits and powder microscopic features of the medicinal materials were observed, and thin-layer chromatography (TLC) identification was carried out. In accordance with corresponding methods documented in Volume Ⅳ of the 2025 edition of the Chinese Pharmacopoeia, multiple indexes were determined, including foreign matter, moisture, total ash, acid-insoluble ash, water-soluble extractives, heavy metals (lead, cadmium, copper, arsenic, mercury) as well as residues of 47 prohibited pesticides. A high-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) method was established to quantify guaijaverin in Psidii Guajavae Folium. Meanwhile, the HPLC fingerprint of the herb was constructed, followed by similarity evaluation and cluster analysis of all samples. RESULTS The macroscopic traits of Psidii Guajavae Folium complied with relevant specifications of quality standards. Distinct microscopic characteristics were observed in medicinal powder, including non-glandular hairs, calcium oxalate crystals, vessels and stomata. TLC results revealed identical fluorescent spots at positions corresponding to the guaijaverin reference substance on chromatograms of test samples. Among the 24 batches of samples, the detection ranges were 0.3%-2.8% for foreign matter, 5.1%-10.7% for moisture, 5.3%-7.2% for total ash, 0.4%-1.8% for acid-insoluble ash, and 11.8%-26.3% for water-soluble extractives. The test results of heavy metals, harmful elements and prohibited pesticide residues all satisfied the Chinese Pharmacopoeia limit criteria. Methodological validation of content determination and fingerprint analysis met relevant validation requirements. The guaijaverin content of the 24 batches ranged from 0.14% to 0.28%. The HPLC fingerprint similarity values of all samples fluctuated between 0.828 and 0.997; fifteen common peaks were calibrated, six of which were chemically identified. The 24 batches were divided into two major clusters, and cluster classification showed high consistency with sample origins. CONCLUSIONS This research optimizes the TLC identification protocol of Psidii Guajavae Folium and supplements new quality control items including quantitative assay and chromatographic fingerprint. Tentative quality limits are proposed as follows: moisture ≤12.0%, total ash ≤8.0%, water-soluble extractives ≥10.0%, and guaijaverin content ≥0.14% (calculated based on dry products).
7.Trend analysis of changes in blood donor populations in CSBT sentinel sites from 2021 to 2025
Xiaojie GUO ; Junhong YANG ; Wenqin ZHU ; Ruru HE ; Guoqiang FENG ; Ruiqing JU ; Fei TANG ; Zhujiang YE ; Mingliang YUAN ; Xin CHEN ; Zhenping LU ; Dongfu XIE ; Qing XU ; Xia HUANG ; Jia ZENG
Chinese Journal of Blood Transfusion 2026;39(8):1052-1060
Objective: To analyze the structural changes in whole blood and apheresis platelet donations in Chinese Society of Blood Transfusion (CSBT) sentinel units from 2021 to 2025, and to provide evidence for donor recruitment and blood service management. Methods: Aggregated data reported by sentinel sites were collected and stratified according to six indicators: age, sex, donation history, donation volume, donation site, and organization mode. Pearson χ
test, Cramer′V coefficient, Cochran-Armitage trend test and simple linear regression were adopted for analysis. Results: A total of 16 256 973 whole blood donations and 1 576 546 apheresis platelet donations were included. Among whole-blood donations, the proportion of donors aged 18-22 years decreased from 27.30% to 10.60%. The proportion of male donors increased from 58.81% to 63.13%; the proportion of people aged 30 and above increased from 58.40% to 75.30%; the proportion of fixed locations rose from 28.37% to 36.57%; the proportion of social groups increased from 21.69% to 39.69%. The 400-mL donations decreased from 62.12% to 53.46%, while individually initiated voluntary donations remained above 50%. Apheresis platelet donations were predominantly from males, individuals aged 30-39 years, and repeat donors; 2-treatment-unit apheresis platelet donations increased from 67.19% to 74.93%, and individually initiated donations accounted for 92.97%-96.02%. Statistically significant overall annual compositional differences were observed for all six indicators (all P<0.001), whereas linear trends for some sub-categories were not statistically significant. Conclusion: In the participating CSBT sentinel units, among whole blood donations, the proportions of donors aged 18-22 years, university-organized group donations, and donations at blood mobiles decreased, whereas the proportions of organizational group donations and donations at fixed venues increased. The apheresis platelet donation cohort is relatively mature and is evolving toward a high-efficiency donation model. Individual voluntary donation remains the primary organization mode for both donation types. Strategies such as youth donor recruitment, optimized layout of fixed donation sites, and retention of repeat donors should be strengthened to improve the resilience of blood supply.
8.Applications of Digital Intelligence Technologies in Rare Disease Etiology Research
Yixuan GUO ; Yi GAO ; Hongrui ZHANG ; Anqi HUANG ; Yujie LI ; Xudong ZHANG ; Yaofang ZHANG ; Jian GUO ; Shuyang ZHANG
JOURNAL OF RARE DISEASES 2026;5(3):390-398
Digital intelligence technology is a comprehensive technical system with data as the key element and artificial intelligence as the core driving force. It provides innovative methodological support for addressing core bottlenecks in rare disease etiology research, including sample scarcity, high-dimensional datacomplexity, intricate pathogenic mechanisms, and challenges in causal validation. This paper systematically reviews the application pathways and current implementation of digital intelligence across four major stages of rare disease research, including etiological clue mining, causal inference, mechanism analysis, and clinical translation. Furthermore, it summarizes the technical strengths, existing limitations, and developmental challenges, aiming to inform optimization of the research paradigm and promote the sustainable advancement of rare disease research.
9.Clinical efficacy of olaparib combined with amifostine in platinum-sensitive recurrent epithelial ovarian cancer and its effects on serum tumor markers
Cao Yun1 ; Guo Yongfeng1 ; Yang Yongming2
Chinese Journal of Cancer Biotherapy 2026;33(9):984-989
[摘 要] 目的:观察奥拉帕利联合氨磷汀治疗铂敏感复发性上皮性卵巢癌的临床疗效,并分析其对患者血清糖类抗原125(CA125)、糖类抗原15-3(CA15-3)、甲胎蛋白(AFP)、癌胚抗原(CEA)、人附睾蛋白4(HE4)水平和预后的影响。方法:纳入2022年5月至2023年5月山西省肿瘤医院收治的铂敏感复发性上皮性卵巢癌患者90例,随机分为单药组(n = 45)和联合组(n = 45)。单药组采用奥拉帕利治疗,联合组采用奥拉帕利联合氨磷汀治疗。采用流式细胞术检测两组患者外周血单个核细胞中T淋巴细胞亚群水平,采用酶联免疫吸附法(ELISA)检测两组患者血清CA125、CA15-3、AFP、CEA、HE4水平;比较两组临床疗效、治疗前后T淋巴细胞亚群和血清肿瘤标志物水平、不良反应发生率及生存情况。结果:联合组客观缓解率(ORR)和疾病控制率(DCR)均显著高于单药组(P < 0.05)。与治疗前比较,治疗后两组CD3⁺、CD4⁺ T细胞比例及CD4⁺/CD8⁺比值均升高,CD8⁺ T细胞比例均降低;治疗后联合组CD3⁺、CD4⁺ T细胞比例及CD4⁺/CD8⁺比值均高于单药组,CD8⁺ T细胞比例低于单药组(P < 0.05)。治疗后,两组CA125、CA15-3、AFP、CEA、HE4水平均较治疗前降低,且联合组各指标水平均低于单药组(P < 0.05)。联合组与单药组不良反应发生率比较,差异无统计学意义(P > 0.05)。随访1年时,联合组1年总生存率(82.22%)高于单药组(64.44%),但差异无统计学意义(P > 0.05)。结论:奥拉帕利联合氨磷汀治疗铂敏感复发性上皮性卵巢癌可提高近期临床疗效,并降低血清肿瘤标志物水平;其远期生存获益尚需扩大样本量、延长随访时间进一步验证。
10.Molecular Mechanisms of LIGHT Regulating Tumor Vascular Microenvironment and Its Precision Delivery Strategies for Solid Tumor Immunotherapy
Jun-Yi YUAN ; Shao-Xia WANG ; Li-Ming JIN ; Bin-Chun LI ; Guo-Bin DING
Progress in Biochemistry and Biophysics 2026;53(10):2583-2595
The drug resistance in the treatment of solid tumors is closely related to abnormalities in the tumor vascular microenvironment (TVM). The TVM is dynamically composed of multiple stromal, vascular, and immune cell populations together with extracellular matrix. Its structural disorder and functional imbalance can lead to abnormal angiogenesis, perfusion disorders, limited drug delivery, and insufficient immune cell infiltration, thereby creating a microenvironment conducive to tumor progression and treatment resistance. Therefore, the coordinated regulation of TVM through vascular normalization and immune remodeling has become an important research direction for improving the treatment effect of solid tumors. Tumor necrosis factor superfamily member 14 (TNFSF14), also known as LIGHT (homologous to lymphotoxin, inducible, competes with herpes simplex virus (HSV) glycoprotein D for herpesvirus entry mediator (HVEM), expressed by T lymphocyte), is an important molecule connecting tumor vascular remodeling and immune regulation. LIGHT can bind to the lymphotoxin β receptor (LTβR) to activate the NF-κB (nuclear factor kappa B)-related signaling pathway, regulate the functions of vascular endothelial cells and stromal cells, and induce the expression of adhesion molecules and chemokines such as VCAM-1(vascular cell adhesion molecule 1), ICAM-1(intercellular adhesion molecule 1), CCL19 (C-C motif chemokine ligand 19), CCL21 (C-C motif chemokine ligand 21), and CXCL13 (C-X-C motif chemokine ligand 13), promoting the formation of high endothelial venules (HEVs). HEVs can improve the vascular access of immune cells into tumor tissues and further promote the formation of tertiary lymphoid structures (TLS), providing a structural basis for the recruitment of effector T cells and sustained anti-tumor immune responses. At the same time, LIGHT interacts with HVEM to provide costimulatory signals to T cells, enhancing their activation, proliferation, and cytotoxic function. Thus, LIGHT can link tumor vascular normalization, immune cell recruitment, and T cell activation through the dual actions mediated by LTβR and HVEM, forming a coordinated regulation model of “vascular remodeling-immune infiltration-immune activation”, providing new molecular targets for the treatment of solid tumors. Despite LIGHT’s good anti-tumor potential, its therapeutic application is still limited by factors such as insufficient stability in vivo, short half-life, and potential off-target effects due to systemic exposure. In recent years, researchers have developed various strategies for the precise delivery of LIGHT, including fusion proteins, bacterial vectors, viral vectors, nanoparticles, chimeric antigen receptor T cells (CAR-T), and mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs), to enhance the enrichment, expression, or sustained release of LIGHT in tumor sites through different approaches, thereby improving its therapeutic efficacy and safety. This article systematically reviews the structural characteristics, biological functions, and molecular mechanisms mediating TVM remodeling by LIGHT, with a focus on the signal transduction mediated by LTβR and HVEM and their roles in tumor immune regulation. Subsequently, it systematically outlines the molecular mechanisms by which LIGHT regulates the tumor vascular microenvironment and its intrinsic connection with immune cell recruitment and activation, from the perspectives of TVM abnormalities, vascular normalization, HEV formation, and TLS induction. Furthermore, it categorizes and summarizes precise delivery strategies such as LIGHT fusion proteins, bacterial vectors, viral vectors, nanoparticles, CAR-T cells, and MSCs according to delivery vectors and modes of action, and compares their functional characteristics, antitumor effects, and potential advantages and limitations. On this basis, the article further discusses the key issues that LIGHT therapeutic strategies still face in terms of targeting, controllability,in vivo stability, safety, and clinical translation, and anticipates the potential value of its combination with immune checkpoint inhibitors, anti-angiogenic therapy, and other tumor treatment methods. This article aims to deepen the understanding of the antitumor mechanism of LIGHT from the perspective of synergistic regulation of tumor vascular microenvironment remodeling and immune activation, providing theoretical basis and new research ideas for the design of solid tumor treatment strategies based on precise regulation of TVM and the clinical translation of LIGHT-related treatment systems.


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